The History of Fly Fishing

Nobody really knows for sure when or where fly fishing first began. It is thought to have existed long ago in ancient times. Claudius Aelianus made one of the earliest written references to fly fishing. In 200 AD he referred to people that were fishing in a river using a hand made fly. He described how they attached red wool and feathers to a hook. What they used for rods were about six feet long and had a short string attached. These ancient people are known as the Macedonians. Since the time of Aelianus through the present people have been writing about fly fishing. Perhaps more importantly, many thousands of others people have been actively enjoying the sport.

Long ago the Princess of Soapwell, England, was a passionate fly fisherman. Her name was Dame Juliana Berners and she was a master at the sport. While Columbus was searching for the New World, she was publishing an extensive essay on the art of fly fishing. In her treatise she described the twelve different types of fly, including detailed instructions about how to tie them. These patterns were put into categories identified by the month they were most often used.

In addition she described the rods that were being used for fly fishing at that time. In general they measured about 18 feet long and were quite flexible. They were made of various types of wood, each used for their flexibility. By today's standards the lines were short, and consisted of hand-braided horsehair. The general rule of thumb at the time was that the line should be no longer then the fishing rod itself. The lines were tied directly to the tip of the pole.

Many fly fishermen have used these same patterns today. Often they are just as effective today as they were more than five hundred years ago. Some of the more popular patterns include the Wooly Worm, Black Gnat, Whirling Dun and the Stonefly.

In the mid 1600's Isaak Walton published a book called "Compleat Angler." Izaak Walton has been considered the patron saint of anglers, and of fly fishing in particular since the publication of that great work. It turns out that it was actually his friend, Charles Cotton that supplied the portion of the book that focused on fly fishing. The flies and rods that were described in this book are strikingly similar to those described by Dame Juliana. The lines described were, however, somewhat different. Horsehair was still used but they were about six feet longer than those described earlier. In addition some of the lines were tapered. This is believed to be the first time that tapered lines were described in writing.

Fishing line makers began mixing silk in with the horsehair in the early 1800's. By the time of the Civil War all silk lines were being made for the first time. They were coated with an oily substance that made them water resistant. Pure horsehair lines were almost never used after that.

In 1948 the first nylon line was made. Synthetic materials have been used extensively from that point on and continue to evolve. In 1952, a technology was developed that made a precisely tapered line possible in an automated process. Great strides have been made in the production of fly fishing equipment since that time and with every innovation comes an increased ability to make the perfect presentation to a trophy fish.

Mike H.

Comments

This article is truly relevant to my study at this moment, and I am really happy I discovered your website.8-)

mbt uk - By mbt uk - Homepage
3^rd March 2011 - 6:54pm

Thanks for the tips,very good details.

By gold betting - Homepage
7^th March 2011 - 9:36am

View original article, demonstration incisive analysis in depth, so I suddenly see the light, there really is a rare masterpiece. Learn ~

MBT Shoes - By MBT Shoes - Homepage
8^th March 2011 - 12:35am

Happy to see your blog as it is just what I’ve looking for and excited to read all the posts. I am looking forward to another great article from you. yhm20110406
That is an awfully astounding column you’ve posted.Thanks a lot for that a fantastically amazing post!

Women MBT Shoes

Women MBT Shoes - By Women MBT Shoes - Homepage
5^th April 2011 - 6:26am

Women MBT Shoes - By Women MBT Shoes - Homepage
5^th April 2011 - 6:27am

mbt shoes that calls for its inspiration from unstable surfaces is bound to provide some extremely basic benefits. Wearers can anticipate to know-how an enlargement within an amazing provide of distinctive functions,cheap mbt shoes including: enhanced posture, toned, shaped body,mbt anti shoes activation of routinely neglected muscles. yhm20110406 I am looking forward to another great article from you. yhm20110406
That is an awfully astounding column you’ve posted.Thanks a lot for that a fantastically amazing post!

[url=http://www.anti-mbtshoesuk.com/mbt-womens-shoes.html]Women MBT Shoes [/url]

Women MBT Shoes - By Women MBT Shoes - Homepage
5^th April 2011 - 8:58pm

Women MBT Shoes - By Nike SB Shoes - Homepage
5^th April 2011 - 9:08pm

This is a superb posting, I identified your weblog web page executing study google for any related topic and came to this. I couldnt uncover to substantially supplemental info and details on this write-up, so it was pleasant to find this 1. I'll in all probability finish up currently being again once more to appear at another content articles that you've got yet another time. yhm20110406

air max shoes - By air max shoes - Homepage
6^th April 2011 - 1:19am

I really liked your article. Keep up the good work.

send flowers to korea - By send flowers to korea - Homepage
9^th April 2011 - 6:54am

Your blog is very useful. Thank you so much for providing plenty of useful content. I have bookmark your blog site and will be without doubt coming back. Once again, I appreciate all your work and also providing a lot vital tricks for your readers.

Dunes Hotel Apartments Barsha - By Dunes Hotel Apartments Barsha - Homepage
9^th April 2011 - 6:58am

This is a nice web site. Good fresh interface and nice informative articles. I will be coming back soon, thanks for the great article.

gifts to pakistan - By gifts to pakistan - Homepage
14^th April 2011 - 5:45am

Glad to visit your blog. Thanks for this great post that you share to us...

Nice Article - By Offshore Development Services - Homepage
29^th April 2011 - 4:39am

Best part of this article is SparkAngels Serve instantly screen sharing Intermediate platform capable of a multitude of requests for assistance and expertise of the huge volume of Internet users, enabling them to enhance their digital know-how and others to never feel alone with their screen.

By air max 90 - Homepage
12^th May 2011 - 4:12am

Your blog is a great one. What really impresses me is that you are correctly mentioned that there are thousands of tools that are available to create a website or launch one but what matters is that you choose the right one, the one that gives you all that is actually needed.

By Carrera Sunglasses - Homepage
12^th May 2011 - 4:13am

Good read but you should think about moderating your comments. All the spam comments full of anchored links really detract from the flow of the conversation. I was good about 1/3 of the way down then really fell apart. Grabbed your RSS feed, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

By Ping rapture v2 irons - Homepage
12^th May 2011 - 4:13am

Nicely done, sir. I hadn't expected the Twit-encoding to use real words, even if together they amount to nonsense. A fun toy, in any event.

By beats by dre - Homepage
12^th May 2011 - 4:14am

I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting.

By Louis Vuitton shoes - Homepage
12^th May 2011 - 4:15am

This is a nice post in an interesting line of content, great way of bring this topic to discussion.

By Wireless IP Camera - Homepage
12^th May 2011 - 4:15am

Having read this material, I have learned for myself a lot of the new. Thanks

Having read - By college board - Homepage
21^st May 2011 - 11:26am

This is a great blog with excellent posts and links.
Thanks for sharing.

flower - By sending flowers to russia - Homepage
30^th May 2011 - 12:46am

I am glad to find your impressive way of writing the post. Now it become easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thanks for sharing the post.

By Flower delivery to Colombia - Homepage
2^nd June 2011 - 4:36am

Great post I must say. Simple but yet entertaining and engaging... Keep up the good work!

By kuwait flower shops - Homepage
21^st June 2011 - 7:35am

Great post I must say. Simple but yet entertaining and engaging... Keep up the good work!

By send flowers in kuwait - Homepage
21^st June 2011 - 7:37am

It's something new for me to know about flyfishing! But I think that it's a good idea!

By thesis writing service - Homepage
21^st July 2011 - 10:52am

Thank you for your article to share with us,Where can you buy cheap nike shoes? at the heel which is arresting from the ancillary of the midsole in Air Max Premium a lot of models.

Nike Outlets - By Nike Outlets - Homepage
25^th July 2011 - 10:14pm

I am going to. I am not sure why I thought fully automatic were prohibited

By Vacheron Constantin Watches - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 1:29am

I am going to. I am not sure why I thought fully automatic were prohibited

By Vacheron Constantin Watches - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 1:30am

always check that will vendors status and study a selection of their most current response

By rolex swiss replica - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 1:57am

Chanel things include continually depicted model and class

By replica chanel bags - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 2:11am

For sure, you can wear all the gear by having a way more basic skirt

By imitation watches - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 2:15am

If you're searching for only a Chanel bag that would be designed for dress wear

By discount on uggs - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 2:19am

Six, CoCo Chanel, or possibly newer colognes such as Shot not to mention Elegance.

By uggs sale cheap - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 2:23am

Things to Look For When acquiring a new Rolex watch

By chanel handbag - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 2:28am

have given usa a little good data which can save possibly big bucks not to mention large heartaches.

By hermes replica handbags - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 3:25am

Such pendant web links may likely pull a bit after a while

By cartier replica watches - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 3:35am

Reliable Rolex watch alarm clocks get a Hologram-encoded sticker label on your lower back of your look at.

By swiss replica - Homepage
2^nd August 2011 - 3:40am

wow,merci de partager avec ce blog!
Louboutin Paris looking Christian Louboutin Discount forward Cheap Uggs For Sale to reading Cheap Uggs Sale new Cheap Uggs Boots For Sale articles.Chaussures Louboutin Chaussures Christian LouboutinContinuez Cheap Christian Louboutin votre Cheap Uggs Outlet bon travail.Chaussures Louboutin SoldesRéjouissez-vous Christian Louboutin Replica aux mises à jour,Uggs Outlet Sale je reviendrai.

Chaussures Christian Louboutin - By Chaussures Christian Louboutin - Homepage
16^th August 2011 - 10:53pm

A steward came over to offer assistance and he told her that he was in a lot of pain because hemoncler jackets had broken his ribs earlier that day. "In that case, you can't fly - not without a doctor's note," she informed him.

happy - By Monday - Homepage
18^th August 2011 - 8:10pm

I remember seeing your username now and again

By Rolex Replica Watches - Homepage
23^rd August 2011 - 7:21am

Nicely done, sir. I hadn't expected the Twit-encoding to use real words, even if together they amount to nonsense. A fun toy, in any event.

this one is good - By chat live software - Homepage
14^th September 2011 - 6:29am

country wide Latin mention Confoederatio

By replica IWC Watches - Homepage
17^th September 2011 - 2:02am

Helvetica, this actually also could

By louis vuitton shoulder bags - Homepage
17^th September 2011 - 2:03am

This is a nice post in an interesting line of content, great way of bring this topic to discussion.

live chat software - By live chat free software - Homepage
19^th September 2011 - 3:35am

is likely to "so good" beginning to feel clamber in a outstanding personal taste on the price range,

By luxury watches - Homepage
13^th October 2011 - 10:40pm

The best quality ones include people who show the Bottega Veneta Handbags
available to buy at all angles. This way you’re allowed look at the tell-tale signs of authentic designer or replica handbag Givenchy Handbagsby considering things like serial results, zippers and designer trademarks. In addition, look out for those stitching and difference inside colors. Authentic handbags usually really don’t come cheap while replica designer bags or cartier Handbags and handbags can save you a handsome profit while still looking like the real thing. The only thing is getting duped to buy non-quality hand bags.

copy luxury handbags, cartier handbags - By cartier replica handbags - Homepage
9^th November 2011 - 1:27am

Our site offers a wide range of replica handbags in style, high quality leather and special design, especially prepared forwomen with good taste and elegance.

replica handbags, replica handbags uk, designer fake handbags - By replica handbags - Homepage
24^th November 2011 - 12:28am

Injuries are a common occurrence inside the sport at each level of play. But not considered a message sport, there exists considerable physical contact and combined with high physical demands from the sport, soccer injuries are inevitable.
http://www.mbtshoessaleclearance.net/women-mbt-tembea-shoes

MBT Shoes Sale - By MBT Shoes Sale - Homepage
13^th December 2011 - 9:16pm

Replica watches is a fashion house from France which is famous for its ready to wear, lifestyle accessories, perfumes and many more.

replica watches - By replica watches - Homepage
15^th December 2011 - 2:11am

Replica watches is a fashion house from France which is famous for its ready to wear, lifestyle accessories, perfumes and many more.

replica watches - By replica watches - Homepage
15^th December 2011 - 2:11am

Rolex replica watches offer you the entire collection with exact look and same functions like water resistance, scratch resistance face, different colors and sizes. These watches give you the same feel of luxury watch and at the same time charge a minimum amount from your income. Rplex replica watches are the ideal imitations of branded watches as they work for long time and truly worth your money. These watches are very beautiful that add an extra ordinary look and charm to your overall personality.

rolex replica watches - By rolex replica watches - Homepage
15^th December 2011 - 2:12am

Nicely explained. It's indeed an art to stop new visitors with your attractive writing style. Truly impressive and nice information. Thanks for sharing.

nice blog - By essay help uk - Homepage
17^th December 2011 - 5:08am

belstaff jackets canada sale
belstaff jackets cheapest
belstaff jackets ebay
belstaff jackets fabric

belstaffcoatssale - By belstaffcoatssale - Homepage
25^th December 2011 - 8:43pm

[url=http://www.belstaffcoatssale.com]Belstaff Coats[/url]
[url=http://www.belstaffcoatssale.com]Belstaff Coats Sale[/url]
[url=http://www.belstaffcoatssale.com]Belstaff Leather Coats[/url]
[url=http://www.belstaffcoatssale.com]Belstaff Mens Coats[/url]

belstaffcoatssale - By belstaffcoatssale - Homepage
25^th December 2011 - 8:44pm

I am absolutely amazed at how terrific the stuff is on this site. I have saved this webpage and I truly intend on visiting the site in the upcoming days.

flowers delivery to norway - By flowers delivery to norway - Homepage
29^th December 2011 - 1:59am

The History of Fly Fishing is looking to be a very strategic story to me i think this history could make film for the people like us who likes fishing.

The History of Fly Fishing - By Computer Store - Homepage
7^th January 2012 - 1:50am

The History of Fly Fishing is looking to be a very strategic story to me i think this history could make film for the people like us who likes fishing.

The History of Fly Fishing - By Computer Store - Homepage
7^th January 2012 - 1:50am

The History of Fly Fishing is looking to be a very strategic story to me i think this history could make film for the people like us who likes fishing.

The History of Fly Fishing - By Computer Store - Homepage
7^th January 2012 - 1:50am

The History of Fly Fishing is looking to be a very strategic story to me i think this history could make film for the people like us who likes fishing.

The History of Fly Fishing - By Computer Store - Homepage
7^th January 2012 - 1:50am

Dry fly fishing was developed in southern England in rivers and chalk streams that were full of vegetation, as this was the best method of avoiding the weeds and other water vegetation that grew near the surface of certain bodies of water and, to some, acquired the reputation of the only acceptable method of fishing the slower clear rivers of the south.

Rack mount

By Rack mount - Homepage
10^th January 2012 - 1:59am

If there is your match with the in addition to Football broker benefits, decide on which matches, guess all of them and you could succeed with regards to In search of by 12 endeavors, identical to me!

Head Racquets - By Head Racquets - Homepage
3^rd February 2012 - 11:26pm

Louis Vuitton Handbags Chanel Handbags 3.1 Phillip Lim Handbags Alexander Wang Handbags Balenciaga Handbags Bottega Veneta Handbags Burberry Handbags Chloe Handbags Christian Dior Handbags Dolce

copy luxury handbags, cartier handbags - By copy luxury handbags - Homepage
25^th February 2012 - 1:47am

The stuff used for designing many Canada goose stylish puts on is of high quality. It can help you stay warm assure you desire to like great love and popularity.
http://www.mybelstaffjacketsoutlet.com Belstaff Jackets
http://www.mybelstaffjacketsoutlet.com Belstaff Jackets Outlet
http://www.mybelstaffjacketsoutlet.com Belstaff Jackets Sale
http://www.mybelstaffjacketsoutlet.com Belstaff Mens Jackets

belstaff belt for jacket - By Belstaff Jackets Sale - Homepage
27^th February 2012 - 12:27am

How many of us watched Porto against Man City? Some say Porto of today plays AVB way, if that is what AVB is trying with Chelsea then I suspect he will have much success in EPL.

kwikki - By Didier_Lampard - Homepage
7^th March 2012 - 6:39pm

How many of us watched Porto against Man City? Some say Porto of today plays AVB way, if that is what AVB is trying with Chelsea then I suspect he will have much success in EPL.

kwikki - By Didier_Lampard - Homepage
7^th March 2012 - 6:39pm

We all believe you...
To be fair, Chelsea were probably unlucky last nigh, Sturridge ran rings around Bayer's defense. Drogba's radar was just a little off.

united4evra - By DonkeyLambert - Homepage
7^th March 2012 - 7:30pm

It doesn't mean we can't question the BBC's true motives and the course of events that let this deal, which is an awful one for their viewers, come about. It seems very clear that the BBC wanted Sky to take F1 rather than a terrestrial competitor and that and the way the BBC has treated us like morons that is what fans are so upset about.

coachhandbagsalex - By EIks7 - Homepage
21^st March 2012 - 10:13pm

I think Tom Lewis golf education WILL have been greatly enhanced by playing The Open alonside Tom Watson, what makes you believe it wouldn't be?

Daffy - By bigal - Homepage
5^th April 2012 - 4:36am

Hmm,i see that you made your points,you are really a cool author.

Fat Burning Furnace - By Steven Jobson - Homepage
7^th April 2012 - 8:28am

this article is very nice...

nice one... - By english assignment help - Homepage
11^th April 2012 - 4:26am

Most of the best music is [url=http://www.oakleysunglasseslx.com/]Oakley Sunglasses[/url] underground and non-mainstream. It is a place where suits and corporations don't interfere with the creative process and leave songwriters and musicians to [url=http://www.raybanwayfarerse.com/]Rayban Wayfarer [/url] express [url=http://www.oakleyfactorys.com/]Oakley Factory[/url] themselves. With the internet it is easier to find inspiring music, it's out there, you've just got to look. It's very easy for Elton to sit in his tower and his comments are a bit [url=http://www.cheapoakleysunglassesv.com/]cheapoakleysunglassesv.com[/url] of a slap in the face for the hardworking songwriters out there. Mainstream music is prepackaged to make money and not to ins

ljpodqyzem - By ljpodqyzem - Homepage
16^th April 2012 - 9:20pm

it needs a bokmark so i can come back to it later ,nice stuff

moving services - By Rob Bobson - Homepage
19^th April 2012 - 1:28pm

What "D" conveniently omits to Fack Oakley Sunglasses mention is that Asian countries wanted the cheap Nike Shox Sale British nike shox outlet Nike Air Max 360 Shoes out Air Max 90 so Cheap Oakley Sunglasses it makes no Oaklay Sunglasses Sale sense to travel to Britain

qobxmypfip - By qobxmypfip - Homepage
19^th April 2012 - 9:01pm

Je voulais essayer de résumer ce que je ressens à propos de cette nouvelles terrible, mais pendant des semaines maintenant, j'ai eu du mal à le mettre en mots. Mon mari fait frapper le clou sur la tête la nuit dernière lors de la description de l'affaire à un ami. Il dit à son ami que «C'est pire que quand elle arrêter de fumer». Je pense que une grande partie de ma vie a été enlevé et je ne sais pas quoi, si quelque chose, je peux faire pour me sentir mieux. Je me sens si triste, c'est presque comme une sorte de grief.Murry

By dramatique - Homepage
20^th April 2012 - 4:55am

nlevé et je ne sais pas quoi, si quelque chose, je peux faire pour me sentir mieux. Je me sens si triste, c'est

cheapoakleysunglassx - By xuemen - Homepage
8^th May 2012 - 2:59am

I think it's a lot easier to imagine what happens to a vamp if he only dies once. But Herrick died twice. He was brought back by Cara and Daisy. But back from where? If there's no vamp afterlife, where was Herrick hanging out? How can there be vamp heirs if vamps don't have an afterlife?Just saying...

dxpsozdbui - By dxpsozdbui - Homepage
10^th May 2012 - 7:54pm

The History of Fly Fishing

Comments

Fly Fishing Topics

More Fly Fishing Articles